International Union of Operating Engineers
LOCAL 25, MARINE DIVISION
AFL-CIO
The following is a brief description of the duties of each classification of dredge workers that are represented by Local 25, Marine Division. However, this listing should not be construed as a thorough and complete listing of all duties performed by the members of Local 25 within the constraints of the skill and experience expected of each classification.
DIPPER, EXCAVATOR AND CLAMSHELL DREDGES
OPERATOR / OPERATOR II
An operator performs underwater excavation to a predetermined grade and loads the dredged material into scows moored alongside the dredge. Also, in the absence of a company supervisor, the operator is responsible for the continued overall dredging operation on the jobsite.
ENGINEER / MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
A dredge engineer operates, maintains and repairs all engines and ancillary machinery aboard the dredge, launches, work boats, small tugs and dump scows associated with the dredging operation.
DRAG BARGE OPERATOR
A drag barge operator controls the operation of the winches and/or the drag bar on a drag barge. A drag barge is utilized to grade to a predetermined depth in preparation for final survey.
MATE
A mate operates the winches that control the positioning of the dredge (anchor, cables or spuds) and the winches that secure scows alongside the dredge. Under direction of the company supervisor, he is responsible for quickly effecting repair of dredge breakdowns that stop or impede the dredging process. He also changes and maintains digging buckets, secures and lifts cables, adjusts dump scows and performs minor repairs, maintains deck lines and performs general deck maintenance, including cleaning and painting. The mate directs the deckhand(s) in assisting with the above responsibilities.
DECKHAND
A deckhand assists the mate in the general operation of the dredge and performs such work commensurate with the usual skill and expertise of this classification. Typical responsibilities include general maintenance of the deck, including cleaning and painting, changing and splicing cables and lines and greasing machinery.
OILER
An oiler is responsible for lubrication of all machinery, checking and maintaining all fluid levels, and cleaning and painting within the engine room. He also assists the engineer as required.
WELDER
The welder repairs buckets, machinery and other metal items aboard the dredge.
WELDER’S HELPER
The welder’s helper assists the welder as required and must be proficient in the use of an acetylene cutting torch.
SCOWMAN
A scowman secures and unsecures lines and/or cables of the towing vessel and operates the dumping mechanism at the disposal site. He maintains all fluid levels and is responsible for lubrication of machinery, cleanliness of cabin, machinery and deck areas, and maintenance of all scow deck lines.
HANDYMAN
A handyman maintains cleanliness of locker rooms, lunchroom, washrooms, dredge office and other ancillary areas on the dredge.
RODMAN
A rodman assists the company civil engineer in performing hydrographic surveys, terrestrial surveys, and construction of ranges. He operates survey equipment under the direction of the company civil engineer.
BOAT MASTER
A boat master, who must possess a valid United States Coast Guard license, operates the boat that transports workers and materials to the dredge and scows commensurate with the size of the boat. He maintains the boat, keeps the “time” of the crew for payroll purposes and submits requests for supplies that are needed for the safe and efficient operation of the boat.
BOAT CAPTAIN
A boat captain, who must possess a valid United States Coast Guard license, performs the same operational duties as the master on a different shift. The captain does not perform all of the administrative duties of the master. He is responsible for the general maintenance of the boat as directed by the boat master.
BOAT DECKHAND
A boat deckhand handles all lines on the boat, maintains cleanliness and performs minor maintenance work, including painting, as directed the boat master or captain.
HYDRAULIC DREDGES
LEVERMAN
A leverman controls the movement and positioning of a “pipeline” dredge and controls the consistency of the slurry entering the pump. In the absence of a company supervisor, he is responsible for the continued overall dredging operation on the job site.
ENGINEER / MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
A dredge engineer operates, maintains and repairs all engines and ancillary machinery aboard the dredge, derrick boats, portable pumps, portable welding machines, power driven anchor winches, work boats and launches.
DERRICK OPERATOR
The derrick operator operates a floating crane or derrick which lifts pipes, dredge pumps, anchors, cutterheads and cable and performs other heavy lifting associated with the dredging operation.
SPIDER BARGE OPERATOR
A spider barge operator controls the loading of scows by the dredge utilizing a "spider barge." A spider barge has an elevated longitudinal pipe with several pairs of moveable lateral arms which can control the rate of the slurry flow. After loading, the barges are towed to a distant disposal site where they are unloaded, usually hydraulically.
DRAG BARGE OPERATOR
A drag barge operator controls the operation of the winches and/or the drag bar on a drag barge. A drag barge is utilized to grade to a predetermined depth in preparation for final survey.
CHIEF MATE
The chief mate, under direct supervision of the company supervisor, maintains and repairs floating and submerged pipelines, anchor winches and cables, cutterheads and all deck department equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the dredge. He generally maintains the areas assigned to the deck department, including cleaning and painting. He directs the mates and deckhands in assisting him with his assigned tasks.
MATE
The mate maintains the operational floating and submerged pipelines, moves anchors and repairs operational deck breakdowns that will impede the dredging operation. In the absence of a derrick operator, he is required to operate floating cranes or derricks as needed. As directed by the chief mate, he is responsible for generally maintaining the deck, including cleaning and painting, as well as maintaining lines and cables.
DECKHAND
A deckhand assists the chief mate and/or mate in the general operation of the dredge and performs such work commensurate with the usual skill and expertise of this classification. Typical responsibilities include splicing cable and line, working on the pipeline and general maintenance of the deck area, including painting and cleaning.
OILER
An oiler is responsible for lubrication of all machinery aboard the dredge, checking and maintaining all fluid levels, and cleaning and painting the engine room. The oiler also assists the engineer as required.
CHIEF WELDER
A chief welder oversees the proper performance of at least four welders and their helper(s). He is responsible for the “layout” of all welding work, such as repair of pipelines, cutterheads, pump shells, liner plates, etc. and submits requests for all welding materials and supplies needed for efficient operation of the dredge.
DREDGE WELDER
A dredge welder is responsible for all welding work required aboard the dredge.
WELDER’S HELPER
A welder’s helper assists the welders as required and must be proficient in the use of an acetylene cutting torch.
ELECTRICIAN
An electrician maintains and repairs all electric motors and generators and installs and maintains all electric cables and fixtures aboard the dredge.
HANDYMAN
A handyman maintains cleanliness of locker rooms, lunchrooms, washrooms, dredge office and other ancillary areas on the dredge.
FILL PLACER
A fill placer is responsible for the overall operation of the shore disposal site, including constructing and maintaining shore pipeline, maintaining fill grade and submitting requests for all supplies needed for an efficient shoreside operation. He directs the assistant fill placer and shoreman in assisting with his assigned tasks.
ASSISTANT FILL PLACER
An assistant fill placer is responsible for shore disposal operation, such as extending the operational pipeline as necessary, maintaining pipeline and proper “fill” grade.
SHOREMAN
A shoreman assists the fill placer and/or assistant fill placer as required and performs such work, commensurate with the usual skill and expertise of this classification.
DOZER OPERATOR / FRONTEND LOADER / TIMBER FORK OPERATOR
An operator, under the direction of the fill placer and/or assistant fill placer, assists in the construction of the shore pipeline, maintains disposal area dikes and fill area grades, and performs other incidental work associated with the operation of the shore disposal site.
RODMAN
A rodman assists the company civil engineer in performing hydrographic and terrestrial surveys, construction of ranges and placement of fill area grade stakes. He operates survey equipment under the direction of the company civil engineer.
BOAT MASTER
A boat master, who must possess a valid United States Coast Guard license, operates a work boat or small tug boat that transports crews and materials to the dredge, tows derrick boats, scows, floating pipelines and ancillary floating equipment on the job site, shifts pipeline anchors and performs all related, necessary work associated with the dredging operation. He is responsible for overall maintenance of the boat, keeping “time” of the crew for payroll purposes and submitting requests for supplies that are needed for a safe and efficient operation of the boat.
BOAT CAPTAIN
A boat captain, who must possess a valid United States Coast Guard license, performs the same operational duties as the boat master on a different shift. He is not responsible for all of the administrative duties as the master. He is responsible for the general maintenance of the boat as directed by the boat master.
TUG DECKHAND
A tug deckhand handles all lines on the work boat or small tug boat and performs minor maintenance work, including cleaning and painting, as directed by the boat master or captain.
STEWARD’S DEPARTMENT
STEWARD
A steward is responsible for the preparation of all meals, cleanliness of the galley, mess room, washroom and other living areas on the dredge. He submits requests for all supplies needed to efficiently operate the department.
ASSISTANT COOK
An assistant cook assists the steward in the preparation of meals.
NIGHT COOK
A night cook prepares the midnight meal and performs the baking required for the following day.
MESS MAN
A mess man sets and cleans the tables in the mess room, serves meals, washes dishes and assists the steward and cook(s) as directed.
JANITOR / PORTER
A janitor or porter cleans the galley, mess room, washroom and other living areas on the dredge.
TUGS OVER 1000 SHAFT H.P.
TUG MASTER
A tug master, who must possess a valid United States Coast Guard license, is responsible for the towing of dredging equipment between job sites (either intra-port or coast-wise) and shifting and towing of scows to riverine or ocean disposal sites. He is responsible for the overall maintenance of the tug, keeping “time” of the crew for payroll purposes and submitting requests for supplies that are needed for the safety of the crew and maintenance of a safe, efficient and sanitary tug.
TUG CAPTAIN
A tug captain, who must possess a valid United States Coast Guard license, shares the same operational duties as the tug master on a different shift. He does not perform all of the administrative duties of the master. He is responsible for the general maintenance of the tug as directed by the boat master.
TUG CHIEF ENGINEER
A tug chief engineer is responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of all engines and machinery aboard the vessel and all environmental systems. He submits requests for all parts and supplies needed to maintain the machinery and environmental systems.
TUG ENGINEER
A tug engineer has the same operational duties as the tug chief engineer on a different shift. He does not share all of the administrative duties of the tug chief engineer.
TUG DECKHAND
A tug deckhand handles and maintains all lines, cables and towing gear utilized by the tug, and performs general maintenance as directed by the tug master or captain, including cleaning and painting.
DRILLBOATS
DRILL FOREMAN
The drill foreman operates the winches on the drillboat in order to correctly position the barge for drilling and/or blasting. He is responsible for overseeing the operational duties of the drillboat, to include: overall maintenance, keeping the time of the crew for payroll purposes and submitting requests for needed supplies for the safety of the crew and the maintenance of a safe, efficient and sanitary drillboat.
BLASTER
The blaster, who must possess the required license for the geographical area, oversees the preparation of the drill holes and final blast connection for detonation.
DRILLER
The driller is responsible for safely operating the drills in preparation for loading drill holes for blasting.
DRILL OILER
A drill oiler is responsible for lubrication of all machinery, checking and maintaining all fluid levels, and cleaning and painting within the engine room. He also assists the engineer as required.